A group of Indigenous leaders from British Columbia visited Calgary to convey a direct message to pipeline executives: refrain from investing in a new bitumen pipeline to the northwest coast or face a potential extended legal battle.
Jason Alsop, the President of the Haida Nation, emphasized the importance of protecting the ocean and its role in food security. He stated that the presence of crude tankers in northern B.C. waters poses a significant threat to these resources, highlighting the potential legal and financial risks associated with investing in a pipeline to the north coast.
Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga’at First Nation, referenced the successful opposition to Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway proposal a decade ago, describing it as a “David and Goliath” victory. He expressed confidence in the strengthened unity among northern B.C. communities to combat any future pipeline projects.
The delegation engaged in discussions with senior officials from Pembina Pipeline Corp. and Trans Mountain Corp. Pembina Pipeline, known for its focus on natural gas transportation, has collaborated with the Haisla Nation on a liquefied natural gas project in Kitimat and has not shown interest in pursuing a new bitumen pipeline. Trans Mountain, a government-owned entity, operates an existing pipeline linking Alberta crude to Vancouver and has been primarily focused on expanding its current infrastructure.
The Indigenous leaders extended invitations to other oil and gas companies, cautioning them about the risks associated with supporting a B.C. oil pipeline. The Alberta government plans to submit a proposal for a B.C. pipeline to a federal major projects office, aiming to reduce project risks for potential private-sector involvement. This initiative aligns with a broader energy agreement between the Alberta and federal governments, which includes plans for a new B.C. pipeline alongside a carbon capture and storage project in Alberta.
While the Alberta government favors Prince Rupert as the pipeline’s endpoint due to logistical advantages, considerations for a southern route to Vancouver have been discussed as a potential alternative with fewer environmental challenges. Hereditary Chief Darin Swanson of the Haida Nation underscored the environmental significance of their coastal region, emphasizing that no financial incentives would outweigh the potential risks associated with a bitumen pipeline and tanker port.